Patents Assigned to Saft
  • NICKEL SUPERCAPACITOR ENGINE STARTING MODULE
    Publication number: 20160268058
    Abstract: This invention relates to a supercapacitor assembly having an asymmetric supercapacitor, a diode, and a switch in parallel with the diode. The asymmetric supercapacitor has at least one positive electrode, at least one negative electrode, and at least one separator impregnated with an electrolyte. The diode has an anode and a cathode, the cathode being electrically connected to the supercapacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: SAFT AMERICA
    Inventor: Carl POSTIGLIONE
  • Safety device for a lithium electrochemical generator battery
    Patent number: 9412985
    Abstract: A safety device (1) for a lithium electrochemical generator battery, including a box (100), configured to house a plurality of lithium electrochemical generators; a cover (200) arranged gas-tightly on the opening (130) of the box; an opening (120) forming a vent situated in one of the walls of the box (100) or situated in the cover (200); a conduit (300) having two openings (311, 312) where one of the openings (311) is gas-tightly connected to the opening (120) forming a vent of the box; a covering part (400) positioned gas-tightly at an opening of a wall of the compartment and the second opening (312) of the conduit, and where said covering part comprises a portion (410) adapted to tear at a threshold pressure Ps; where the walls of the box, the cover, the conduit and the covering part are secured to each other so as to ensure sealing against the gases up to a pressure above the threshold pressure Ps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: SAFT
    Inventors: Benoit Turbe, Jerome Calmejane, Benoit Vasselin, Philippe Genin
  • BATTERY WITH A CELL THERMAL CONTROL DEVICE AND ITS METHOD OF MANUFACTURE
    Publication number: 20160211562
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells are mounted in a thermal control device which relies on a flow of a heat transfer fluid following round trips inside a casing thereby providing heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the entire wall of the electrochemical cells, and secondly, exchanges of heat which are, on average, equivalent for each electrochemical cell, regardless of its position in the thermal control device. The cells are mounted in tightly-fitting tubes arranged in the casing of the thermal control device, with their axis perpendicular to the outward and return flow directions of the heat transfer fluid inside the casing. A production process including a step of introducing the cells into the tubes is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: SAFT
    Inventors: Julien BOBINET, Laurent POUYAU, Matthieu BERTIN, Guillaume FORGET
  • CONNECTION METHOD IN AN ACCUMULATOR AND ACCUMULATOR THUS CONNECTED
    Publication number: 20160172655
    Abstract: A method for connecting electrodes of the same polarity of an accumulator (1) to a current output terminal (6, 7), the accumulator including two current output terminals (6, 7), a container (2) containing an electrochemical bundle (9) having alternating positive and negative electrodes, the ends of the current collectors of the positive and negative electrodes defining a first (Si) and second (S2) surface respectively. There is a step of additive manufacturing of an internal connecting part (11, 13) electrically connecting the first and/or the second surface to the corresponding current output terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: SAFT GROUPE SA
    Inventors: Gerard RIGOBERT, Thomas POUGET
  • Thermal management of a battery system
    Patent number: 9350002
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged within the battery module and a thermal management system configured to provide thermal management to the plurality of electrochemical cells. The thermal management system includes a first thermal plate provided adjacent a first side of the battery module and a second thermal plate provided adjacent a second side of the battery module opposite that of the first side of the battery module. The first thermal plate includes a series of fins that extend from a surface of the first thermal plate from the first side of the battery module to the second side of the battery module. The second thermal plate comprises a series of fins that extend from a surface of the second thermal plate from the second side of the battery module to the first side of the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Chris Bonin
  • METHOD FOR SEALING OFF AN ORIFICE OF A STORAGE CELL CONTAINER AND CONTAINER SEALED OFF BY THIS METHOD
    Publication number: 20160141595
    Abstract: There is provided a method for sealing a filling orifice formed on a wall of a container in a leak-proof manner using a stopper arrangement comprising a tubular member with a flange having an upper face, and a lower face for covering the orifice, and a mandrel with a stem which is housed inside the tubular member, the force necessary for rupturing the stem being greater than the force resulting from the entry and advancement of a head of the mandrel inside the tubular member, comprising introducing the stopper arrangement into the orifice, bringing the nosepiece of the riveting tool into abutment with the upper face of the flange, actuating the riveting tool so as to exert a tensile force on the stem and bring about expansion of the tubular member against the wall of the orifice and rupturing the stem of the stopper arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: SAFT GROUPE SA
    Inventors: Sebastien BADET, Richard ROY
  • Battery module
    Patent number: 9331318
    Abstract: A battery module that includes a plurality of electrochemical cells. Each of the electrochemical cells has a first end including at least one terminal and a second end having a vent. The plurality of electrochemical cells are arranged such that the second ends of a first set of the plurality of electrochemical cells face the second ends of a second set of the plurality of electrochemical cells. A central chamber is located between the second ends of the first set of the plurality of electrochemical cells and the second ends of the second set of the plurality of electrochemical cells. The central chamber is configured to receive gases released from the vents of the plurality of electrochemical cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Majid Taghikhani, Dale B. Trester, Gary P. Houchin-Miller
  • Battery module having electrochemical cells with integrally formed terminals
    Patent number: 9331314
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a housing and a lid coupled to the housing. The electrochemical cell also includes a first member conductively coupled to the housing and configured to act as a first terminal for the electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell further includes a second member electrically insulated from the lid and configured to act as a second terminal for the electrochemical cell. A first portion of the second member extends through the lid and a second portion of the second member extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jason Fuhr, Xugang Zhang, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Dale B. Trester
  • System and method for detecting venting of a sealed storage cell
    Patent number: 9325039
    Abstract: In a system and method for detecting venting of a sealed storage cell, the sealed storage cell comprises a container with a sealing cap adapted to be detached from the container and move in the presence of gas overpressure inside the container to allow venting of the storage cell. The detection system comprises a printed circuit board with a central portion designed to be situated opposite the sealing cap, a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion and connected to the central portion by a hinge adapted to flex during movement of the sealing cap, and at least one frangible portion adapted to break upon movement of the sealing cap. An electrical printed track connects the peripheral portion to the central portion through the hinge and frangible portion(s), and is designed to be broken upon breaking of the frangible portion(s) following movement of the sealing cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: SAFT
    Inventors: Laurent Guidal, Pascal Susset, Nicolas Vigier
  • Method and system for estimating state of charge of a lithium electrochemical cell having a lithium phosphate type positive electrode
    Patent number: 9316693
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for estimating state of charge of a cell having a positive electrode, for example of a lithium phosphate type, the charge profile of which includes a range of state of charge between about 30 and about 90% in which variation of voltage is 10 times less rapid than for a state of charge higher than 90%. Determination of state of charge for a state of charge greater than 90% is based on either the use of a calibration relationship between cell voltage and state of charge when a current is passing through the cell that is less than a predetermined threshold value and its voltage has stabilized, or on the use of coulometry the result of which is corrected taking into account the accuracy of the current sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SAFT
    Inventors: Sebastien Benjamin, Philippe Desprez, Ali Zenati, Gerard Barrailh
  • Storage battery arrangement
    Patent number: 9276295
    Abstract: A storage battery arrangement includes a plurality of battery cells each having a cell housing having at least one cell terminal protruding from an end of the cell housing. The storage battery arrangement also includes a plurality of control units each having a control unit housing and electronic circuitry provided inside the control unit housing for monitoring and controlling at least one of the plurality of battery cells. The control units each include at least one control terminal extending to the outside of the control unit housing, the control terminal being electrically connected to the electronic circuitry. The size and shape of each of the control unit housings are substantially similar to the size and shape of the cell housings so that the control units can be arranged side-by-side among the battery cells and electrically connected the same way to the battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Pascal Muis
  • Rigid negative compartment for a metal-air battery and method of manufacturing said compartment
    Patent number: 9236642
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a precursor of a negative electrode compartment for rechargeable metal-air batteries, comprising a rigid casing (1), at least one solid electrolyte membrane (2), a protective covering (5), completely covering the inside face of the solid electrolyte membrane (2), a metallic current collector (3) applied against the inside face of the protective covering (5), preferably also a block (4) of elastic material applied against the current collector and essentially filling the entire internal space defined by the walls of the rigid casing and the solid electrolyte (2), and a flexible electronic conductor (6) passing in a sealed manner through one of the walls of the rigid casing. The present invention also relates to a negative electrode compartment having a rigid casing obtained from said precursor and to a battery containing such a negative electrode compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignees: ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE, SAFT, INSTITUT POLYTECHNIQUE DE BORDEAUX
    Inventors: Gwenaelle Toussaint, Philippe Stevens, Georges Caillon, Patrick Viaud, Christophe Cantau, Philippe Vinatier
  • ASYMMETRICAL SUPERCAPACITOR WITH ALKALINE ELECTROLYTE COMPRISING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL NEGATIVE ELECTRODE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME
    Publication number: 20160005549
    Abstract: An asymmetrical supercapacitor including an alkaline electrolyte, at least one separator, at least one positive electrode including a nickel-based hydroxide and a nickel-based current collector, and at least one negative electrode including a nickel-based current collector and having a porous three-dimensional structure. Some pores are open, the mean diameter of the open pores being greater than or equal to 100 ?m and being less than or equal to 300 ?m and two contiguous open pores (1, 2) communicate by at least one opening (5) the mean diameter of which is greater than or equal to 35 ?m and less than or equal to 130 ?m. The three-dimensional structure includes a mixture including at least one activated carbon, at least one electron-conducting additive, and a binding agent including at least one elastomer polymer and at least one thickening polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: SAFT
    Inventors: Stephanie CHEVALIER, Melanie DENDARY, Patrick BERNARD
  • Battery system with heat exchanger
    Patent number: 9225045
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in a first row and a second row offset from the first row. The battery module also includes a heat exchanger configured to allow a fluid to flow through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is disposed between the first and second rows of cells and has a shape that is complementary to the cells in the first and second rows of cells so that an external surface of the heat exchanger contacts a portion of each of the plurality of electrochemical cells. The heat exchanger is configured to route the fluid between an inlet and an outlet such that a path of the fluid flow includes a plurality of adjacent fluid flow segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Anthony C. Pacheco, Martin Wiegmann, Ralf Joswig, Markus Hoh, Mikhail Balk, Kem Obasih
  • Positive electrode material for a lithium-ion accumulator
    Patent number: 9214673
    Abstract: A compound of formula Lia+y(M1(1?t)Mot)2M2b(O1?xF2x)c wherein: M1 is selected from the group consisting in Ni, Mn, Co, Fe, V or a mixture thereof; M2 is selected from the group consisting in B, Al, Si, P, Ti, Mo; with 4?a?6; 0<b?1.8; 3.8?c?14; 0?x<1; ?0.5?y?0.5; 0?t?0.9; b/a<0.45; the coefficient c satisfying one of the following relationships: c=4+y/2+z+2t+1.5b if M2 is selected from B and Al; c=4+y/2+z+2t+2b if M2 is selected from Si, Ti and Mo; c=4+y/2+z+2t+2.5b if M2 is P; with z=0 if M1 is selected from Ni, Mn, Co, Fe and z=1 if M1 is V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignees: SAFT, UMICORE
    Inventors: Georges Caillon, Stephane Levasseur, Thlerry Hezeque, Christian Jordy, Nina V. Kosova, Evgeniya T. Devyatkina
  • POSITIVE ELECTRODE FOR LITHIUM ACCUMULATOR
    Publication number: 20150349334
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lithium accumulator comprising: a) a current collector (4); and b) a stack of at least two layers (1, 2, 3) arranged on at least one surface of the current collector, wherein a first layer (1) is in contact with the surface of the current collector and comprises a mixture of at least two compounds selected from: a lithiated manganese phosphate, a lithiated transition metal oxide, and a lithiated spinel-type manganese oxide; and an outer layer (2) comprises an active material comprising at least 90% of a lithiated iron phosphate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: SAFT
    Inventors: Erwan DUMONT, Philippe BOREL, Yannick TORET
  • LITHIUM TITANATE OXIDE AS NEGATIVE ELECTRODE IN LI-ION CELLS
    Publication number: 20150333371
    Abstract: A lithium-ion battery including a negative electrode (anode) containing lithium titanate oxide (Li4Ti5O12) (LTO) as an active material and a stable interface layer disposed on a surface of the electrode; a positive electrode (cathode); an electrolyte containing a solvent and an impedance growth reducing additive; and a separator disposed between the electrodes. The LTO-based cell with the stable interface layer on the negative electrode is formed by holding the potential of the negative electrode below the reduction potential of the impedance growth reducing additive for a sufficient length of time during a first formation cycle. The stable interface layer on the negative electrode mitigates impedance growth on the positive electrode over cycle life. When the impedance growth reducing additive is fluoroethylene carbonate (C3H3FO3), the stable interface layer includes a LiF deposit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: SAFT GROUPE SA
    Inventors: Yee Yvonne CHEN, Thomas GRESZLER, Bridget DEVENEY
  • Method for balancing the voltages of electrochemical cells connected in several parallel branches
    Patent number: 9184600
    Abstract: A method for balancing a battery (C) comprising a plurality of branches (Ba, Bb, . . . , Bn) in parallel, each branch comprising at least two electrochemical cells in series (E1a, E2a, E3a, E1b, E2b, E3b), with an activatable electrical energy discharge or transfer device (Rb) being connected across the terminals of each electrochemical cell, comprises activating the electrical energy discharge or transfer devices connected across the terminals of the cells of the branch that includes the electrochemical cell having the lowest voltage, with the exception of the electrical energy discharge or transfer device associated with the electrochemical cell having the lowest voltage, and simultaneously deactivating the electrical energy discharge or transfer devices connected across the terminals of the cells of the branch or branches that do not include the electrochemical cell with the lowest voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: SAFT
    Inventors: Serge Maloizel, Antoine Perot
  • Battery cell and terminal configuration
    Patent number: 9172067
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a can having a first end and a second end and a first element provided within the can and including an electrode. The cell also includes a first terminal integrally formed as a part of the can and extending from one of the first or second ends. The cell further includes a terminal assembly directly coupled to the first element and including a stud configured to act as a second terminal. The first end includes a boss that defines an aperture through which the stud extends, wherein the boss at least partially surrounds the stud and a bushing coupled to the stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: JOHSON CONTROLS-SAFT ADVANCED POWER SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Dougherty, Steven J. Wood, John P. Dinkelman, Dale B. Trester, Gerald K. Bowen, Gary P. Houchin-Miller
  • LEAKTIGHT BOX FOR ALKALINE BATTERIES
    Publication number: 20150295213
    Abstract: Leaktight box for alkaline electrolyte battery, comprising an assembly of metal plates, where: a first and a second plate overlap in a zone of overlap and are assembled with rivets each comprising a head, a stem and a bulb; the stem of the rivets is deformed in such a way as to occupy in a leaktight manner substantially all of the volume of said holes of the first and second plates; preferably an elastomer seal comprising a material chosen from among a butyl rubber, an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer and a nitrile rubber, where said seal is disposed in continuity with the overlap zone in continuous contact with the first and the second plate in such a way as to complete the leaktightness of the box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: SAFT
    Inventors: Philippe Vasti, Xavier Tridon